Cyttopsis rosea

The Red Dory (Cyttopsis rosea) is a small (to 15 cm) marine fish found in the western Atlantic (from the southeastern United States and northern Gulf of Mexico to the western Caribbean), eastern Atlantic (from northwestern Spain to Morocco and south to southern Africa), and Indo-west Pacific (from India to Japan). Its scientific and common names refer to its overall reddish color. The Red Dory’s body is deep and strongly compressed and covered with small cycloid scales, There are 7 spines in the dorsal fin and 2 spines in the anal fin. Bony scutes are present on the chest and belly, the larger ones bearing spines. (Robins et al. 1986; FNAM online).

Red Dories are abundant between 330 and 690 m depth (Robins et al. 1986). They are usually found swimming in schools in mid-water or near the bottom (FNAM online). They have a large mouth that can be extended out to capture prey. The diet consists mainly of other fish and swimming decapod crustaceans. At least in waters of the tropical eastern Atlantic, reproduction occurs in the spring. (FNAM online)